Magna Carta

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Transcript of Magna Carta

The Magna Carta was a document that king John was forced to sign which greatly reduced his powers as king of England and created the extremely powerful parliament. Eventually the Magna Carta became the basis of English citizen’s rights. The Magna Carta was meant to set the king aside and create a more powerful government controlled by more than just one person. It consisted of 37 English laws, some old some new What did it do? magna carta By: AJ Purvis, Ben butler, and haley stewart What is it? Who wrote it? In 1215 Archbishop Stephen Langton and the most powerful barons of England started to write the Magna Carta. About mid way through the year King John signed the document which was originally named ‘Articles of the barons.’ Very soon the Magna Carta was distributed through England to sheriffs, bishops, and many other important officials. During King John’s reign he over taxed, led unsuccessful wars and conflicted with the pope. This angered the people of Britain and many of the most influential and powerful barons. This led to a rebellion in 1215 and led to the first ‘charter of liberties.’ Why was it created? Why was it important in American history? The Magna Carta is considered the founding document of English liberties and hence American liberties. Article 21 from the Declaration of Rights in the Maryland Constitution of 1776 reads: "That no freeman ought to be taken, or imprisoned, or disseized of his freehold, liberties, or privileges, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any manner destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty, or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land." http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-history/magna-carta.htm Fin.